Chapter 1
The final bell rang across Vision Academy like the sound of freedom, triggering the usual rush of students into the halls. Backpacks were slung over shoulders with reckless abandon, lockers slammed shut, and conversations about homework, weekend plans, and late-night gaming sessions filled the space with a comfortable buzz.
Gwen Stacy walked beside Miles, her fingers lightly brushing his as they made their way toward the exit. The soft hum of chatter faded just slightly when a voice called from behind them.
“Miss Stacy, a word?”
Gwen turned. Mr. Halpern, their physics teacher, leaned against the classroom door with a small stack of papers in his hands and a familiar amused glint in his eyes.
She glanced up at Miles, who gave her a quick nod and squeezed her hand. “Go, genius.”
Rolling her eyes fondly, she turned back and approached.
“You’ve been on fire this semester,” Mr. Halpern began, flipping through her test scores. “I mean, these are near perfect. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.”
“Thanks,” Gwen said, ducking her head, pride blooming warm in her chest.
“Well,” he continued, “Oscorp certainly noticed. They reached out about a special internship. It’s a week-long program for standout students—high-level, hands-on, and very exclusive.”
Her eyes widened. “Oscorp?”
“They’ve picked a few students across the city. You’re one of them—if you’re interested.”
Gwen blinked, stunned into silence for a second. “I… yeah. Yes! Definitely interested.”
“Good.” He handed her a permission form. “It starts in three days. You’ll get more details via email."
She left the classroom practically vibrating with excitement.
Later that evening, the ballet studio was bathed in soft lighting and the gentle sound of piano keys. Gwen moved through her routine, sweat dotting her brow, muscles burning with each leap and turn. Her instructor watched closely, offering only the occasional correction.
The next recital was close—just a week away—and Gwen had personally invited Rio Morales, hoping to make a good impression. Her own parents were… inconsistent at best. Rio, though? She always showed up.
The class ended with a round of polite applause, and Gwen collapsed onto a bench, pulling off her pointe shoes and wiping down with a towel.
Outside, the sky had turned dusky pink. She exited into the cool evening air and immediately spotted Miles leaning against a lamppost, hoodie up and headphones askew. He was bouncing slightly on his heels, hands shoved into his pockets.
“You looked like you were floating,” he said with a grin as she approached.
“Floating and dying,” she replied, catching her breath. “I think my legs disowned me.”
He offered his arm, and she took it without hesitation. “You walked all the way here?”
“For you? Always.”
Their usual dinner spot wasn’t far—a hole-in-the-wall place with the best dumplings in Brooklyn. They sat by the window, legs tangled under the table, sipping soda between bites and teasing each other about who could eat the most.
For a moment, everything felt perfectly normal. Perfectly safe.
That night, Gwen lay sprawled across her bed, half under her comforter, with her laptop propped on a pillow and half her wardrobe scattered across the floor.
“Okay,” she muttered. “What even is Oscorp fashion? Business casual? Lab coat cosplay? Full hazmat?”
She held up a plain black blazer in one hand and a pair of white ankle boots in the other.
Amaya, sitting at her desk across the room, didn’t even look up. “Blazer and boots. Smart and dangerous. Like you might file someone’s taxes or kill them with a pipette.”
Gwen smirked. “I feel like you're suspiciously invested in this.”
“And you’ve been suspiciously nosy about my outfit choices lately.”
“Oh please,” Gwen said, flopping onto her stomach. “You’ve been suspiciously quiet about Ganke. He’s been in, like, three of your Insta posts. In a row.”
Amaya tossed a sock at her. “It’s called subtlety, Gwen. Look it up.”
Gwen laughed and held up her blazer again, finally deciding. “You’re the best worst roommate ever.”
“Likewise.”
The Oscorp Tower was more imposing in person than any photo could do justice. Gwen stood across the street, clutching her messenger bag and trying to quiet the fluttering in her stomach.
The sleek glass-and-steel building pierced the sky like a monument to science and secrets. She took a deep breath and crossed.
Inside, everything gleamed—floors like mirrors, walls embedded with digital displays. Mr. Halpern waved her over, where a small group of students had gathered.
Gwen recognized a few—Rosie Patel from chem club, Jordan from AP Calc, even a kid from the robotics team she’d seen at the science fair.
“Alright, people,” Mr. Halpern said, checking a clipboard. “Today’s just a tour. But a special one—you’re getting access to the R&D floor. Normally off-limits to interns.”
A few murmurs of surprise spread through the group.
They followed him to the elevators, riding up past levels marked “Authorized Personnel Only.” Gwen’s heart was pounding.
The doors opened with a soft ding, revealing a long, sterile hallway that smelled faintly of disinfectant and electricity.
She was about to step into Oscorp’s heart—and something told her this was more than just a school assignment.